Assessing an Early Childhood Architectural Module: Transitional Space for Play and Learning

Muntazar Monsur (North Carolina State University)

Decrease of children’s time spent outdoors (TSO) is a global concern linked to a variety of physical and mental health consequences. Innovative strategies are required to increase TSO in childcare centers where children spend a majority of their waking hours. Provision of a transitional, semi-covered play space may encourage teachers to take infants and toddlers outdoors more frequently by creating year-round, comfortable, sheltered opportunities (eliminating excuses for not being outside).The goal of this research and development effort is architectural innovation and associated evidence demonstrating the positive effects of childcare center indoor-outdoor transitional spaces on child and teacher behavior. The proposed architectural module is designed to facilitate children’s activities adjacent to the classroom. The longitudinal study will assess the behavioral impact of this proposed architectural module, installed outdoors, immediately beyond the classroom entrance.

The study hypothesis is that the addition of such a transitional space will increase TSO of children, which is a proven health promotion measure associated with physical activity, and add pedagogical value by supporting an increase in diversity of play and learning activity. The study is framed by two research questions: Does addition of a semi-covered transitional play and learning space adjacent to an early childhood classroom increase 1) TSO for children? And 2) diversity of children’s play and learning activity? Specific aims are: 1) To use teacher records to assess increase in TSO; and 2) To use behavior mapping to measure increases in diversity of play and learning activity types. Research findings will demonstrate how intentionally designed transitional indoor-outdoor, play and learning spaces can increase TSO and add pedagogical value to early childhood classrooms.

The first two prototypes of the transitional play and learning unit are going to be built in March 2019. Before and after data will be compared and findings will be presented in EDRA50.